There is no doubt that the Lancers’ 23-point blowout served an ominous warning to the Jaguars when they clash anew in Game 2 set at 5 pm tomorrow still at the Cebu Coliseum. Also, the win was a sweet redemption of sort for the Lancers, who dropped a 72-77 decision to the Jaguars during the elimination round.
"Our loss in the elimination was nothing because the finals is more important. I think it’s payback time for us," said head coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug, who drove the UV Lancers to a historic sixth straight championship in the CESAFI cage wars.
Cabahug said losing the series opener would have been a different story that is why they wanted to put the game under control as early as they can.
"We want to prove to everyone that we are a tough team to beat and we showed to the CDO management what the real UV team is capable of playing of," added Cabahug.
Inspired by the presence of CDO team owner Jerome Ong, the Lancers were flawless in offense and could hardly miss their attempts, proving they are more lethal when their pride is torn.
The UV Lancers marched into the finals by sweeping the Metro Gaisano-University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters in lopsided fashion - a 23-point victory in Game 1 and a 25-point romp in Game 2. The Webmasters also conquered UV in the elimination, 73-67, but the Lancers’ reprisal was more bitter.
Against USJ-R, the Lancers were not only flaunting their capability to win but also showed strong intention of pulverizing the Jaguars, who were hapless, defanged and claw-less in all corners of the floor.
And why not? Ritchum Dennison fired 15 points all from the 3-point territory as the Lancers hit a team total of 12 triples compared to only four by the Jaguars.
In proving they are too hot to handle for the Jaguars, the Lancers mounted as much as 26 points lead, 91-65, at the final 5:24 mark of the contest.
Morsie Akad topscored for the Lancers with 16 points followed by Michael Luga and Eduardo Arda with 12 and 10 markers, respectively. Underscoring their balanced attack, all 14 players fielded in by Cabahug scored.
The only bright spot for the Jaguars was when they closed the gap to nine points, 29-38 late in the second period. The real story, however, was that they failed to recover from the Lancers’ deadly opening barrage.
Lyndon Gudez paced USJ-R with 18 points, while Luther Luke Justiniani added 17. The other Jaguars who cashed in double figures were John Malinao with 12 points and Ponce with 10 in a losing cause.
The scores
CDO-UV (101) - Akad 16, Dennison 15, Luga 12, Arda 10, Lanete 9, Esperat 7, Villanil 6, Berame 6, Omolon 5, Canoy 5, Diputado 3, Sendrijas 2, Manigque 2, Pitogo 2
USJR (78) - Gudez 18, Justiniani 17, Malinao 12, Ponce 10, Hatague 5, Delfino 4, Pogoy 4, Antigua 3, Arpay 2, Villahermosa 1, Gabas 1
Halftime: 50-34